Q121. Which of the following is NOT a function of the human liver?
Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes: RAS Prelims MCQs
151 RAS Prelims MCQs on human health, food, nutrition and public health programmes test nutrients, vitamins, deficiency diseases and government programmes. Carbohydrates, vitamin names, iron and anaemia, overnutrition, adulteration and epidemic dropsy, the role of an ASHA worker and the aims of Poshan Abhiyan are asked as facts and effects.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 121–130 of 151 questions
Q122. Which immunoglobulin is predominantly transferred from a mother to her fetus across the placenta, conferring natural passive immunity?
Explanation
Immunoglobulin G is the most abundant antibody in the bloodstream and is the only class of antibodies that can cross the placenta from a mother to her fetus. This transfer provides the newborn with significant protection against various infections during the first few months of life. This natural passive immunity is vital for the infant’s survival while its own immune system is still developing and maturing.
Q123. In India’s Universal Immunisation Programme, the rotavirus vaccine is administered via which route?
Explanation
The rotavirus vaccine is administered to infants as oral drops to protect them against rotavirus, which is a leading cause of severe diarrhea and dehydration in young children worldwide. Providing the vaccine orally is an effective and non-invasive way to stimulate an immune response in the gut, where the virus typically attacks. This vaccine is a key component of the Universal Immunisation Programme.
Q124. Typhoid fever is primarily transmitted through:
Explanation
Typhoid fever is caused by the bacterium Salmonella typhi and is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. This occurs when a person consumes food or water that has been contaminated by the waste of an infected individual or a chronic carrier of the bacteria. Maintaining high standards of personal hygiene, sanitation, and water safety is critical for preventing the spread of this serious bacterial infection.
Q125. The Mantoux test (Tuberculin skin test) is used as a screening tool for:
Explanation
The Mantoux test is a diagnostic tool used to determine if a person has been infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis. It involves injecting a small amount of tuberculin purified protein derivative into the skin of the forearm. A healthcare professional then examines the site after forty-eight to seventy-two hours; a characteristic swelling or induration indicates a positive reaction, suggesting that the person’s immune system has recognized the bacteria.
Q126. The classical symptom of malaria involving cold, hot, and sweating stages corresponds to the:
Explanation
The classical fever paroxysms of malaria, which include stages of intense cold, high fever, and profuse sweating, are caused by the periodic rupture of infected red blood cells. When these cells burst, they release thousands of merozoites and various metabolic waste products into the bloodstream. This synchronous release triggers the body’s inflammatory response, leading to the characteristic cycles of fever that are typical of the malarial infection.
Q127. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
| Immune System Component | Role |
|---|---|
| A. Skin | i. Long-term specific immunity |
| B. Lysozyme in tears | ii. Physical barrier |
| C. T-cells | iii. Cell-mediated immunity |
| D. Memory B-cells | iv. Chemical barrier |
Explanation
The skin serves as the primary physical barrier of the innate immune system. Lysozymes found in tears act as a chemical barrier by destroying the cell walls of certain bacteria. T-cells are central to cell-mediated immunity, directly attacking infected cells. Memory B-cells provide long-term specific immunity by remembering past infections and producing antibodies quickly upon re-exposure to the same pathogen.
Q128. Atherosclerosis, a major cause of coronary artery disease, is characterized by:
Explanation
Atherosclerosis is a condition where the arteries become narrowed and hardened due to the buildup of fatty deposits called plaques. These plaques consist of cholesterol, fatty substances, cellular waste products, and calcium. Over time, this buildup restricts the flow of oxygen-rich blood to the heart and other parts of the body, which can lead to serious cardiovascular problems such as heart attacks and strokes.
Q129. Before the enactment of the Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006, food adulteration in India was primarily regulated under the:
Explanation
The Prevention of Food Adulteration Act of 1954 was the primary legislation in India governing food safety for several decades. It set various standards for food purity and provided the legal framework for detecting and punishing food adulteration. In 2006, this act and several other food-related orders were consolidated into the more comprehensive Food Safety and Standards Act to create a single, unified regulatory authority.
Q130. Read the following statements and select the correct option:
Assertion (A): Sickle cell trait provides a survival advantage against severe malaria.
Reason (R): The abnormal haemoglobin in sickle cell trait makes the red blood cells less hospitable for the malaria parasite to multiply.
Assertion (A): Sickle cell trait provides a survival advantage against severe malaria.
Reason (R): The abnormal haemoglobin in sickle cell trait makes the red blood cells less hospitable for the malaria parasite to multiply.
Explanation
Individuals with the sickle cell trait have a survival advantage in regions where malaria is endemic. The sickle cell mutation causes some red blood cells to take on an abnormal shape, which makes it difficult for the Plasmodium parasite to survive and multiply within them. This natural selection has resulted in a higher prevalence of the sickle cell gene in populations historically exposed to severe forms of malaria.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 121 | (d) Secretion of insulin |
| 122 | (a) IgG |
| 123 | (c) Oral drops |
| 124 | (a) Contaminated food and water |
| 125 | (d) Tuberculosis infection |
| 126 | (b) Rupture of red cells releasing merozoites |
| 127 | (a) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i |
| 128 | (d) Deposition of fatty plaques in the arterial walls |
| 129 | (a) Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954 |
| 130 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
Key facts from Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes
- Carbohydrates are the main source of immediate energy; overnutrition leads to obesity.
- Vitamin C is ascorbic acid; tocopherol (vitamin E) is not part of the Vitamin B complex.
- Iron deficiency most directly leads to anaemia, and anaemia among pregnant women raises the maternal mortality rate.
- The Recommended Dietary Allowance is the daily intake level sufficient for most healthy people.
- Argemone oil in edible mustard oil causes epidemic dropsy.
- An ASHA worker links the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission; Poshan Abhiyan targets stunting, under-nutrition and anaemia.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes?
This page has 151 practice MCQs on Human Health, Food, Nutrition and Public Health Programmes (Health, Environment and Agriculture). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which condition does iron deficiency cause?
Anaemia, a low level of haemoglobin in the blood. It causes weakness and tiredness, and in pregnant women it raises the risk to both mother and child, so iron and folic acid tablets are given under the public health programmes.
What causes epidemic dropsy?
Argemone oil mixed in edible mustard oil as an adulterant. The toxin it contains affects the body and causes swelling, so adulteration of mustard oil has led to outbreaks in India.
What is the role of an ASHA worker?
To link the community with the public health system under the National Health Mission. An ASHA, the Accredited Social Health Activist, is a village-level worker who guides women to institutional delivery and immunisation.